From left: Martin Luther King III, U.S. Rep Al Green and U.S. Rep John Lewis at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award Dinner

From left: Martin Luther King III, U.S. Rep Al Green and U.S. Rep John Lewis at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award Dinner

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From left: Melissa Brunicardi, Mark Sharpe and Pam Bercutt

From left: Melissa Brunicardi, Mark Sharpe and Pam Bercutt

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Inna and Scott Wizzig

Inna and Scott Wizzig

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Kathryn and Michael Moore

Kathryn and Michael Moore

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Irene and Marc Helsinger

Irene and Marc Helsinger

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Crystal Ashby and Barbara Glass

Crystal Ashby and Barbara Glass

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Crystal Ashby and Thomas Sloan

Crystal Ashby and Thomas Sloan

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Yvonne and Rufus Cormier

Yvonne and Rufus Cormier

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Kim and Kevin Thaman

Kim and Kevin Thaman

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From left: Martyn and Kathy Goossen with Nancy and Jack Dinerstein at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award Dinner at the Hilton Americas Hotel.

From left: Martyn and Kathy Goossen with Nancy and Jack Dinerstein at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award Dinner at the Hilton Americas Hotel.

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From left: Nancy Li, Gail Klein and Leisa Holland-Nelson

From left: Nancy Li, Gail Klein and Leisa Holland-Nelson

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Canto Francyne and Kevin Jacobs

Canto Francyne and Kevin Jacobs

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From left: Lexi Klein, Steven Becker and Ariel Mucasey

From left: Lexi Klein, Steven Becker and Ariel Mucasey

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LBJ Moral Courage Dinner offers dream of hope and humanity

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Master of ceremonies Shara Fryer referred those in attendance at Thursday evening’s Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award Dinner as “not royalty – because we’re Americans – but very close.”
Rightly so; the Holocaust Museum Houston’s 17th annual event themed “A Dream of Hope, Love and Humanity” honored true American heroes: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Holocaust survivor and author Gerda Weissmann Klein, and keynote speaker U.S. Rep. John Lewis.
Upon entering the Hilton Americas-Houston, a crowd of 900 ascended to the expansive second level for a cocktail reception featuring a performance by the Salvation Army Harbor Light Choir. One flight up, VIPs enjoyed an exclusive meet and greet.
“My dad had strong ties to the Jewish community; there were many rabbis who marched with him,” said Martin Luther King III, accepting the award on his late father’s behalf. “In a sense, this is a continuation of his legacy and continues to encourage the work that must still be done. We’re not there yet.”
Once the lights dimmed to signal the start of the program, patrons entered the grand ballroom; in stark contrast of each table’s lush floral centerpieces, two enormous countdown timers flanked the center podium to minimize over-mingling.
After highlights from museum chair Mark Mucasey, Luci Baines Johnson presented the night’s first award to Gerda Weissmann Klein’s granddaughter, Lexi Klein. Though many know Klein as author of the Holocaust autobiography “All But My Life” and Oscar-winner of the subsequent film adaptation “One Survivor Remembers,” her granddaughter said she admires her for other reasons, too. “She emerged from her ordeal with a wonderful sense of humor… and makes the world’s best pancakes.”
Guests were served a kosher meal of sautéed sea bass in chardonnay sauce and pecan praline tarts with glazed strawberry. Baines Johnson took the stage once again to introduce King and recalled a noteworthy memory of their two fathers. “Fifty years ago on June 2, 1964, my father, Lyndon Baines Johnson, and your father, Martin Luther King Jr., gave me the best birthday present ever: the Civil Rights Act becoming law,” she shared.
The momentous affair concluded with Lewis’ powerful recollection of his upbringing in rural Alabama and the fight for equality during the Civil Rights Movement. “I heard the words of Dr. King, and they inspired me get in trouble – in good trouble,” he said. “Because of him, our country is a better country and our people are a better people. We must never forget it.”
The event raised more than $1.1 million.
Lewis and King signed books at a private breakfast at host committee chair members Inna and Scott Wizig’s Bellaire home the following morning.